Gambier

village in Ohio

Tiny Gambier is a college town in Knox County, Ohio, centered around Kenyon College. The village of Gambier mostly consists of Kenyon's campus, which is quiet, pretty, and historic. The liberal-arts college has a student body of 1,900 (2023) in a village of 2,200 (2020).

Not to be confused with Mount Gambier in South Australia.

Get in

The easiest way into Gambier is by car. The nearest major airport is in Columbus, a one-hour drive away. Kenyon College maintains a list of transport options for the benefit of its students.

By bus

By bicycle

The Kokosing Gap Trail (see below) connects Gambier with Mount Vernon, and forms part of the Ohio to Erie Trail which goes all the way from Cincinnati to Cleveland via Columbus.

Get around

The "Gates of Hell", the entrance to Middle Path at Kenyon College

As a college town, Gambier is very walkable, and everything is close together except for the slightly out-of-the-way BFEC. The campus is split into two grassy areas, North Campus and South Campus, each surrounded by academic buildings and student housing, with a mini downtown area in between. While the campus is private property, it's open to the public (you need a Kenyon-issued ID card to get into any actual academic buildings or dorms).

The gravel path running through the village, known as Middle Path, is an important landmark. It runs about a mile from Bexley Hall at its northern end, through the town itself, and south to Old K(enyon), the college's first building. Where Middle Path meets Wiggin Street is a pillared entrance called the "Gates of Hell" by the college's students.

Centrally located parking spots are mostly free two-hour parking. The underground 🌍 West Quad Garage has extensive and free designated visitor parking, with direct access to the admissions building and the library. Get to it from College Drive.

The village has one small old-fashioned gas station and mechanic in the form of 🌍 Campus Auto, but gas is more expensive here than in Mount Vernon. An EV charging station is across the street.

See

Leonard Hall, one of the dormitories of Kenyon College
  • 🌍 Kenyon College. A small liberal arts college founded in 1824, the main attraction in Gambier. In addition to the charming campus buildings and outdoor sculptures, stop by Chalmers Library to see what's on display in their rotating exhibition space. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Gund Gallery, 101½ College Drive. Tu W F 11AM–5PM, Th 11AM–7PM, Sa Su 1–5PM (only open when an exhibition is on view, check first). Art gallery named for Graham Gund, an architect closely associated with Kenyon. Free. (updated Apr 2024)

Do

  • 🌍 Lowry Center. Kenyon's athletic center. Free for Kenyon Inn guests. (updated Dec 2018)
  • 🌍 Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC), 9781 Laymon Road. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. Nature preserve with 9 miles (15 km) of trails through multiple habitats, as well as educational programs about nature. (updated Jul 2021)
  • 🌍 Kokosing Gap Trail. This paved, 14-mile (23-km) trail extends from Mount Vernon past Gambier to Danville. It's beautiful, especially in the fall, and good for biking or walking. You can see a 1940s-era locomotive and caboose on the trail near Gambier. (updated Nov 2021)

Buy

  • 🌍 Kenyon College Bookstore, 106 Gaskin Ave. The longest continuously operating college bookstore in the US (or so it claims). A fun store, not just textbooks but also a good collection of trade fiction, Kenyon swag, and random products, as well as snacks like ice cream and coffee. Good for gifts. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 The Village Market. A small market with snacks, staples, and plenty of booze. More expensive than your standard big-box supermarket, but convenient for quick purchases. The cafe in the back sells hot food including a hot dog, the "Market Dog". (updated Apr 2024)

Eat and drink

  • 🌍 Gambier Deli, 110 Gaskin Ave, ☏ +1 740-233-3031, . Tu–Sa 8AM–3PM, with reduced hours during Kenyon breaks. Inexpensive option with an extensive menu of bagels, sandwiches, salads, and standard deli fare. Good pancakes. Vegetarian and vegan options. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 The Kenyon Inn & Restaurant, 100 W Wiggin St, ☏ +1 740-427-2202. The fanciest option for dining in Gambier, where visiting scholars eat when they come to Kenyon. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 The Village Inn, 102 Gaskin Ave, ☏ +1 740-427-2112. Tu–F 11AM–2PM and 5PM–9PM; Sa 11AM–9PM. A bar and restaurant popular with students and locals. Try the spinach and artichoke dip. Vegetarian options. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 Wiggin Street Coffee, 101 Wiggin St. The coffee shop on campus, also serving bagels and other snacks. Usually full of students studying. 

Sleep

Kenyon maintains a list of accommodations in Gambier and nearby areas. Alternatively, you might want to stay in Mount Vernon, a ten-minute drive from Gambier, or in Columbus, about an hour away.

Connect

Free wifi is available on campus.

  • Gambier Branch Library, 115 Meadow Ln (in the Gambier Community Center). M Th F 10AM-5PM, Tu W 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-4PM. Computers available for public use. (updated Apr 2020)
  • 🌍 Gambier Post Office. Inside is a mural of Philander Chase, founder of Kenyon College. (updated Apr 2024)

Cope

Media

  • Kenyon Collegian. Kenyon's student newspaper. (updated Dec 2018)
  • The Kenyon Review. A well known literary magazine, affiliated with the college but not a student publication. (updated Dec 2018)
  • The Kenyon Observer. A student political journal, but not widely read on campus. (updated Dec 2018)
  • WKCO (91.1FM). Student-run radio station. (updated Dec 2018)

Go next

  • Mount Vernon – county seat of Knox County and the largest town close to Gambier. A 10- to 15-minute drive, depending on which route you take.
  • Coshocton - county seat of Coshocton County to the east
  • Columbus - the nearest major city
Routes through Gambier
Delaware ← Mount Vernon ←  W  E  → Coshocton → Uhrichsville


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